Hi all,
Yes, another junior here. I've joined just a week ago and left a few traces on this site here and there in other posts (will try to keep it clean in the future ).
Now to the question; firstly the intro.
Our land is sloping gently to the back - the slope starts around the future front wall of the house. The builder has already drawn on the plans to cut in at the front (about half-way into the house siting) and fill at the rest of the house, which was all fine. The cut and fill was only around 30 cm the most.
Then, once the demolition was completed, the ground became around 30cm lower at the front part of the house siting. We can see where the natural ground level was right against the side fences. Then it quickly drops into this new, lower level.
The demolisher didn't fill the site to "bring it back up to the natural ground level" (which is expected by the builder). When we asked them about it (yes, upfront), they said they won't do it. We went ahead (we got the same answer from all of the demo-men during quotes) - we decided to wait and see what the builder would say when they see the site. We didn't want to get the fill on our own, as we are not sure what is really required (leave it to the experts). Then we'll see what needs to be done about it (if anything) and what's "the damage".
Right now it looks like the Finished Floor Level at the front part of the house would be exactly at the level of the dug-in surounding ground (which is lower than the natural ground level by some 30cm, as mentioned).
However, we'd prefer if the house can be "lifted" just that little bit more off the ground, so that the FFL is just a bit higher and not totally level with the ground. (Otherwise, the house would look from the front like it's sitting in a nice wide dinner plate.)
Obviously, one way is that the builder gets in some fill (he might do that anyway at least for the back part, will wait and see).
And could this be the other way (this is my question): To ask the builder to add a little bit more concrete to the slab, to make the FFL higher that way. I'm thinking just 10-15cm.
Has anyone done that? What are your thoughts or experiences? Is this a silly thought in the first place?
And should we just talk to the SS, or to the concretor directly (which may be way too late)?
I know that we should probably approach the CSO, who would quickly raise a PCV and apply a thousand dollar fee on top of the adjustment cost, so I don't really want to go there.
Also, from what I've seen here, it seems like it's possible to get in quite a few things through the back door (so to speak).
BTW, our excavation hasn't began yet, we don't even have an SS yet. I don't know if they've "assessed" the site yet - I think they would know what they would do after that step.
If raised, the total height of the house wouldn't go higher than the max required by the council.
If this is possible, I'm also hoping that the extra height could be classified under "tolerances" so that all the inspectors and the council are happy.
Any suggestions are welcome!
Thanks
Lex